THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The enormous contributions of science and technology (S$T) to the development of infrastructure in developing countries are so numerous, that it could hardly go un-noticed. Diversification of economy have played a great role no doubt, but can’t eradicate or compliment the essentiality of science and technology (S$T). The Science and Technology sector contribution to development cannot be overemphasized. It is in recognition of this that the researcher suggests solutions after identifying problems and challenges facing infrastructural development of science. These ideas can be viewed as an institutional framework that will directly assist to create technology infrastructure to facilitate wider application and knowledge. One area of focus is the review of the National Policies and constitutions to welcome foreign investors to bring in new technological innovations, training and improvement of science.

 

 

 

 

                                       CHAPTER ONE

                                      INTRODUCTION

1.1: Background of the study:

Since the inception of Science and technology(S$T) in the early 1930s, government have been a major benefactor of it contributions on development both in the private sector and the public sector. The study elaborates the role of government and the contribution of science and technology (S&T) in initiating and sustaining a broad-based transformation of the world’s energy systems. “I can add today that our ability to be economically productive and competitive in the future depends heavily on having infrastructure systems that are well managed and can support industrial and societal evolution and innovation” (Dr Ken Henry, 2008).

It is the responsibility of government to formulate policies that will control and influence the markets, technology, and behavior, which in t play in the long run influences infrastructural development of science. Records has it that purely free market economies seldom deal adequately with macro-economic or international problems (such as water and air pollution or open sea fishing) that exhibit ‘tragedy of the commons’ characteristics. At the same time, the process of technological innovation to develop new energy options for the next generation and beyond must also accelerate. Public and private sector investments in energy research, development, and demonstration have been inadequate to the world’s energy challenges for some time now and this is changing rapidly. Long-term challenges for society include learning how humans can prosper without continued degradation of Earth (Kammen and Jacobson, 2006). At the same time, a more widespread deployment of existing technologies should be pushed by governments even earlier. Government policy and technology interact in complementary and mutually reinforcing ways Well-designed policies and regulations can generate a market pull for technologies that are already developed and close to commercialization. Concerted public and private investments in energy can push the process of innovation, expanding the menu of technology options that will be available in the future. Related policies with respect to educating the public, issuing patents, and developing human capital by nurturing a new generation of professionals and scientist with energy expertise also have a critical role to play. Several recent reports argue that the combination of pull and push mechanisms is likely to be more effective than either approach alone (NCEP, 2004; CBO, 2006) there is a role for government in facilitation of the development of “path-breaking technologies”—those with the potential to create major new industries or transform existing industries and thereby yield high returns to society as a whole but whose development poses risks too high to attract sufficient private-sector investment. Examples of past and present path-breaking technologies are nuclear medicine, biotechnology, semiconductors, aircraft engines, and communication satellites. Similarly, government has a role in facilitating the development of “infrastructural technologies” those that enhance the performance of a broad spectrum of firms in the near to intermediate term but do not offer sufficient private returns. Examples of these technologies are the development of engineering methods, compilation and validation of technical data, measurement tools, and the refinement of manufacturing processes.

Government has supported the development of science in a number of ways. In the early days of the industry, government procurement, especially for defense and space applications, was a powerful influence on science development advances. Government also has funded a broad spectrum of research and development, from basic computer science to the development of prototype technologies, including the advanced networks that evolved into the Internet. Today, it is continuing to invest in a variety of new ideas and approaches. For example, government supported the development of the Mosaic browser for the World Wide Web, which has led to the development of several commercial products that have greatly increased access to resources on the Internet. The role of government on infrastructural development of science and technology is central to the task of making sure that infrastructural  investment matches with the kind of society, and the kind of  capabilities, the government needs to make provision in order to combine the growth, sustainability, inclusion and innovation that the world of the future demands.

1.2: STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Infrastructure being “an underlying foundation or basic framework (as of an organization or system). It is necessary to note that infrastructure does not only relate with development but also provides the basis, foundation, and support in improving existing level of science. In time past, science and technology development have long been a major infrastructural issue of course.

The introduction of the Internet and the related growth of new social technology capabilities seems to battle the nature of their collective and cumulative impact. Many of these achievements have been described as mainstays of contemporary life (Papay, 2002).

They have become significant as critical projects in their own right and as part of the enabling layer of infrastructural development that can make other projects more efficient and productive.

In such a way that, government becomes a key player of improving infrastructural development of science.

It is on this note that the researcher intends to examine the role of government on infrastructural development of science.

1.3: OBJECTIVES

The main aim of this study is to examine the role of government on infrastructural development of science, but in the course of the study the researcher intends to outline the following sub-objectives;

1. i) To determine the role of government on infrastructural development of science.
2. ii) To ascertain the relationship between government and infrastructural development of science

iii)  To facilitate new science, technology and innovation in building human capacity and infrastructure to foster innovation for national

development.

1. iv) To help proffer solutions to the identified challenges and problems.

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESE

For the successful completion of this study, the following research hypotheses was formulated by the researcher

H_O   Government does not play any significant role on the infrastructural development of science.

H₁   Government plays a significant role on the infrastructural development of science.

Hypotheses 2:

H_O There is no relationship between science and infrastructural                    development.

H₁ There is a significant relationship between science and infrastructural development.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is believed that at the completion of the research, the findings will be of great importance to the government, as it awakens government to the degrading standard of science, which is prior to change based on regular advancement, innovation and upgrading. It introduces new perspectives to academia, scholars, researchers and the general public for discussion on the best way to make provision for infrastructural development of science that can sustain humanity for the next 5 decades. This is a detailed research that encompass all of the complexities of infrastructural development challenges faced in this 21th century. This study outlines the role of technology on traditional or foreign infrastructures, and the essence of advancement on implementation of science development. The need for government to invest on research for improvement of science and technology as a critical infrastructure on its own.

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of this research work centers on the role of government on infrastructural development of science, in view of government lowering the economic cost of materials for researchers with the view of targeting new inventions and encouraging their efficiency there are some factors which militate against the scope of the study which was beyond the control of the researcher;

Time: the time at the disposal of the researcher which is allocated for the study was a major limitation as the researcher has to combine other academic work with the study.

Finance: The finance at the disposal of the researcher in the course of the study does not allow for wider coverage as resources are very limited as the researcher has other academic bills to cover.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

GOVERNMENT:

Government is the system by which a state or community is controlled, government normally consists of legislators, administrators, and arbitrators.

INFRACSTRUCTURE:

Infrastructure refers to the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area, including the services and facilities necessary for its economy to function.

DEVELOPMENT:

Development is the process of developing or being developed.

SCIENCE:

Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.

TECHNOLOGY:

Technology can be the knowledge of techniques, processes, and the like, or it can be embedded in machines which can be operated without detailed knowledge of their workings. The human species’ use of technology began with the conversion of natural resources into simple tools.

INNOVATION:

Innovation is production or adoption, assimilation, and exploitation of a value-added novelty in economic and social spheres; renewal and enlargement of products, services, and markets; development of new methods of production; and establishment of new management systems. It is both a process and an outcome.

1.8 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows. Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (background of the study), statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research questions, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope of the study etc. Chapter two being the review of the related literature presents the theoretical framework, conceptual framework and other areas concerning the subject matter.     Chapter three is a research methodology covers deals on the research design and methods adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.

 

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